Donald Distasio on Toll of Cuts to Cancer Programs

NEWS
from the American Cancer Society

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2009

TOLL OF MID-YEAR BUDGET CUTS WILL BE LIVES OF NEW YORKERS, HIGHER COSTS TO TAXPAYERS          

Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of
NY & NJ, regarding mid-year cuts to the NYS Cancer Services Program and NYS Tobacco Control Program  

“It’s unfair and irresponsible to treat cancer-fighting programs like a cash cow subject to the whims of lawmakers. Today’s cuts to the NYS Cancer Services Program and NYS Tobacco Control Program will result in fewer mammograms, higher smoking rates and more preventable deaths. These are not extravagant, expendable programs that can be raided during a cash shortfall. These programs make a difference – just ask a woman whose breast cancer was found early or a smoker who quit because these programs exist.  

The exact impact of these cuts is hard to predict since they are made to unspent funds, but there’s no doubt about it, services will be drastically reduced and many New Yorkers will fall through the cracks, costing taxpayers in the long run.  At a time when New Yorkers are counting on their government, these cuts say, “we can’t help you.”   

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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.